Auxiliary foot accelerator



Jan. 16, 1940. A. ADAMIC AUXILIARY FOOT ACCELERATOR Filed June 20, 1939 Attorneys Patented Jan. 16, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUXILIARY FOOT ACCELERATOR Anton Adamic, Canon City, 0010.

Application June 20, 1939, Serial No. 280,201

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to that subdivision of motor vehicles accelerators embodying the so-called auxiliary type, that is constructions expressly perfected to enable the driver to 5 use either the right foot or theleft foot depending on existing conditions.

As implied. by the preceding general statement of the invention, I am aware that divers forms of two-way and auxiliary foot accelerator attachments and accessories are broadly old. It follows therefore that my primary aim is to generally and structurally improve upon prior patented and marketed structures utilized for the same broad purpose. In keeping with my improved idea I have perfected and reducedto practice what is believed to be a structurally distinct and refined arrangement more aptly fitted for the particular purposes intended.

Briefly, the preferred embodiment is characterized by an oscillatory rocker shaft having a foot pedal at the left-hand end thereof, and a reach rod or arm at the opposite end, the latter having adapter means on its terminal for operative association with the existing or conventional accelerator pedal or button.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawing.

In the drawing wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a fragmentary portion of the automobile floorboard, clutch pedal, brake pedal, conventional accelerator and the improved auxiliary accelerating means constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention.

Figure 2 is an end view with a portion broken 40 away and shown in section.

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse detail section on the line33 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawing by distinguishing reference characters the horizontal or main floor board is denoted at a and the inclined toe board is shown at b. The clutch pedal is alongside the brake pedal d, these being in customary relationship with the steering post e and the conventional accelerator pedal or treadle 1. Obviously, all of these are conventional or old parts.

The improved auxiliary accelerator attachment or accessory is indicated by the numeral 4. This comprises a rocker shaft 5 mounted for oscillation in bearings l5 and l on the accommodation brackets 8 and 9. It is to be noted that these are attached to the horizontal floor board a at points remote from the clutch and brake pedal. This is to dispose the complete attachment 4 in a position so that it is out of the way of the brake and clutch pedal and road light button, etc. 5 With the attachment in this position it is convenient for most drivers and does not interfere with any of the existing or stock parts on the inclined board b. Incidentally collars l0 and II held in place by set screws cooperate with the 10 bearing 1 to maintain the rocker shaft against endwise slippage. On one end the rocker shaft is formed into an auxiliary foot pedal or treadle I 2 this being located toward the left side of the car where it can be conveniently operated by the left foot of the driver when the opposite or right foot becomes fatigued. The opposite end of the rocker shaft is formed into a right-angularly bent reach arm 13 of a length to accommodate the existing stock parts. The free end of the arm is fashioned into what may be called a sheath I4 and this houses an anti-friction roller I5 engageable with the conventional accelerator pedal 1. The sheath is rounded and otherwise fashioned so that it is possible to place the foot thereon instead of directly on the pedal if desired. On the intermediate portion of the reach arm is a rubber sleeve or equivalent member I6. This is preferably flat-faced to provide a convenient anti-slipping rest for the foot.

In connection with the reach arm and the rubber or equivalent sleeve l6 it is to be pointed out that the feature l6 serves as a convenient anti-slipping rest for the heel of the right foot. Oftentimes when a car is in traflic on a hill and it is necessary to stop and hold it, it is necessary to pull up the hand brake. With the present invention the driver can keep the toe of the right foot upon the brake pedal (1 and place the heel on the rubber sleeve It, thus using one foot to 40 bridge and operate both the brake and accelerator means. This leaves the left foot free to throw out the clutch pedal. This is an important feature of the present invention. Essentially however the invention was developed with the idea of using the auxiliary pedal l2 when the right foot becomes tired on long drives. Moreover the whole device is so arranged that the parts can be swung to an out-of-the-way position as shown in dotted line whenever necessary or desired. Consequently, all the parts have been carefully chosen to contribute their proportionate share to the development of a simple and economical auxiliary accelerator device.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawing will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

1. In a structural assemblage of the class described, in combination, a floor board structure including a horizontal portion and an inclined toe portion, brake and clutch pedals associated with the last-named portion, a main accelerator device also mounted on the inclined portion, bearing brackets mounted on the horizontal por tion of a rocker shaft mounted for oscillation in said bearing brackets, said rocker shaft having a right-angularly disposed foot-piece on the lefthand end thereof, and a reach arm on the opposite end, the reach arm terminating in a sheath and said sheath being superimposed about said main accelerator, an anti-friction roller mounted in the sheath, and an anti-slipping sleeve on said reach arm forming a heel rest, the sleeve being located within the vicinity of the brake pedal.

2. An attachment of the class described comprising a pair of bearing brackets, a rocker shaft mounted in the bearing brackets, said rocker shaft being provided at one end with a relatively long reach arm terminating in a channel-shaped member constituting a sheath, an anti-friction roller mounted for rotation in said sheath, a sleeve on the intermediate portion of said reach arm, said sleeve being of rubber or equivalent r material to render it anti-slipping to function as a heel rest, the opposite end of the rocker shaft being formed into a flattened foot pedal constituting an auxiliary accelerator device.

ANTON ADAMIC. 

